System and apparatus for announcing time



Dec. s, 1938.

T. A. SOLBERG SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ANNOUNGING TIME 1935 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 15,

FIG. 2.

INVENTOR 2 50 0 6 23;

6 ATTORNEY Dec: 6, 1938. -r. A. SOLBERG SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ANNOUNCING TIME Filed May 15, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 INVENTOR. IA S'OZZr g,

3 ATTORNEXJL Dec. 6,1938. T. A. SOLBERG SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ANNOUNGING TIME Filed May 15, 1956 4.Sheets-Sheet 3 FlqJO.

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INVENTOR ATTORNEY 27A. SaZZe Dec. 6, 1938. 'r. A. SOLBERG SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ANNOUNGING TIME Filed May 15, 1936 4 s t 4 Mo oa FIG 11.

INVENTOR Z14. Samm BY W 5.

I ATTORNEY E W F Patented Dec. 6, 1938 PATENT OFFICE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ANNOUNC- ING TME Thorvald A. Solberg, Washington, D. 0.

' Application May 15, 1936, Serial No. 80,013

'IClaims.

10 is desired and effecting an announcement at a given time interval and thereafter cutting ofi the sound reproducing system preparatory to a repeat process for a succeeding announcement.

Another object of my invention is to provide a 15 construction of audible announcing system for clocks in which an audible record is carried by a cylinder rotated in synchronism with the movement of the clock and operating in conjunction with a photoelectric cell system movable in step 20 with the rotation of the cylindrical record for controlling a sound rcproducer at a predetermined time interval. Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of carrier for a photoelectric 5 cell system which may be compactly assembled I adjacent a cylindrical record carrier for controlling a sound reproducing circuit at predetermined time intervals.

A still further object of my invention is to pro- 30, vide a compact assembly of sound reproducing system and clock mechanism including means whereby the sound reproducing system is conditioned prior to a predetermined time interval for effecting an announcement over a given time in-.-

' terval and thereafter deenergized preparatory to repeat processes at various time intervals for successive announcements.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the structure of the mechanism for automaticaily announcing time as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through the announcing mechanism of my invention and illustrating the association thereof with an electric clock; Fig. 1a is a sectional view taken on line la--ia of Fig. 1; Fig. 2 is a front view of the electric clock and sound reproducer associated therewith; Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view 50 taken through the scanning mechanism of the sound reproducing apparatus; Fig. 4 is an end view of the scanning mechanism with the driving cylinder and the sound record cylinder illustrated in cross-section on line 44 of Fig. 3

55 and line 4-4 of Fig. 5; Fig.5 is an elevational view of the driving cylinder employed in the mechanism of my invention; Fig. 6'is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical circuit arrangement employed in the sound reproducing system associated with the electric clock of my 5 invention; Fig. '7 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the manner of driving-the carrier which supports the photoelectric cell system forming part of the scanner of my invention; Fig. 8 illustrates the manner of guiding the frame which carries the photoelectric cell system form-- ing part of the scanner in the system of my invention; Fig. 9 shows an electrical circuit arrangement employed in one form of control circuit for the sound reproducing system of my invention; Fig. 10 illustrates a modified circuit arrangement which I may employ in the sound re-- producing system of--my invention; Fig. 11 illustrates in plan view the relationship of the scanning mechanism with respect to the sound rec- 0rd employed in the sound reproducing system of .my invention; Fig. 12 is a detailed view showing in side elevation the form of switch mechanism employed in the circuit arrangement of Fig. 10; and Fig. 13 is a plan view of the switch mechanism illustrated in Fig. 12.

The ordinary clock announces time at various intervals such as the hour, half hour and quarter' hour by means of gongs striking chimes, bells or other sound producing implements. The present invention announces the time by reproduction of a sound which gives the exact time shown by the hands of the clock.

Two methods of accomplishing this are employed. The first consists of mounting a small 5 phonograph disc, needle, reproducer box and loudspeaker in the clock. By means of ratchet or other engagement, the disc is caused to romm at the stated times at which it is desired to announce the time. The phonograph record 40 is engraved or recorded suitably with the requisite sound track so that the times required to be announced will occur at that time because of .the synchronization effected between the clock hands and the disc'by means of the ratchet described. In lieu of the usual circular phonograph disc, it will be desirable to provide a flat rectangular plate and have the times recorded on this plate in straight lines. The plate would be 01 such length 0' as to enable one announcement to be recorded on one straight line. For example, if hourly time announcements are to be used, only twelve lines are necessary. On each succeeding announcement, the plate may be rever ed so that the plate travels in the reverse direction over the next line. The element on which the announcements are recorded may be made in the shape of a cylinder with the sound tracks recorded thereon in straight axial lines. This requires a partial revolution of the cylinder after each announcement to bring the needle on the next line for each following time announcement. Various other forms and methods of providing the phonographic record andmeans for its synchronization with the clock hands may be employed.

The second method of providing spoken time announcements is applicable to electric clocks. This consists of having the voice recorded onfilm and arranged to operate voice reproducing apparatus. The film track may be mounted suitably on the periphery of a wheel or cylinder which revolves and is exposed to a light source at the stated time intervals set for time announcements. The film carrying wheel or cylinder or other element is synchronized with the hands of the clock in a manner or by methods whereby the announcements are timed with respect to the time exhibited by the clock. Various methods of arranging the film on which the voice is recorded may be utilized. Moreover the sound track may be directly photographed on a glass or other transparent construction of cylinder. Similarly, various methods and arrangements of electron tube or tubes and sound reproducing apparatus are employed. The method of sound reproduction first described above for other than electrically driven clocks is applicable also to electric clocks.

With either type of clocks, appropriate arrangements may be made for discontinuing the time announcements for any desired length of time.

Alarm features may be incorporated in all such clocks using either method by adding additional elements which carry only alarm bell signals or, if desired, voice recordings to take the place of the bell.

Such systems as those described herein make it possible for the purchaser to have the time announcements specially recorded so that either his own voice or any voice he may choose, will make the time announcements.

Referring to the drawings in detail, I have indicated an electric clock by means of a rectangle 83. The electric clock is operated by a synchronous motor which drives a main shaft indicated at l which is journaled in suitable bearings and which carries a small gear 2 and a larger gear II. The small gear 2 meshes with a larger gear 3 whichis carried by shaft 4 which extends parallel to main shaft l. The shaft 4 is journaled in suitable bearings 5 and 8 attached to the housing and supporting structure adjacent the clock. The shaft 4 carries a metallic cylinder I on the surface of which there is inscribed a double groove or track shown more clearly in Figs. 4, 5 and 7. A small segmental block 8 carries three shoes 80, 8b and which are adapted to fit into and engage the groove 'la in the cylinder I. It will be seen that as cylinder 1 revolves, the block 8 is moved. in a horizontal path parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder I. The groove or track 1a is so shaped that the direction of motion of block 8 is reversed at each end of cylinder 1.

The track or groove la is continuous and changes from a left to a right-hand pitch at one end of the cylinder 1 and vice versa at the other end of the cylinder 1. Accordingly, the motion imparted to block 8 is automatic in that a continuous reciprocatory course of travel is imparted to block 8 as cylinder 1 revolves. on an arm of the substantially U-shaped frame 9 extending horizontally as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The substantially U-shaped frame 8 is guided in a horizontal path on a rack or rail in by means of rollers 9a and 8b and also by such guides as will prevent dislocation or derangement of parts. The U-shaped member is constrained to move only in the horizontal path permitted by the guides. The rack on rail I0 is mounted parallel to the axis of the cylinder 1. This rack or rail I8 is angle shaped and extends within the housing adjacent the clock structure and provides a guide which is engaged by sets of rollers 9a and 9b rotatably mounted on frame 9 and adapted to roll on the sides of the rack or rail Ill. The arm or frame 9 serves the double purpose of keeping the block 8 engaged in groove 10 and also serves as a carrier for an optical system and photosensitive cell as will be more clearly understood hereinafter. The frame 9 carries on the portion thereof immediately adjacent cylinder 1 a light source ii. The light source II is located adjacent the end of the inner arm of frame 8. Suitable flexible connections extend to light source i ifor conveying energy required for illuminating source H.

Reverting at this time to the main shaft I, it will be observed that in addition to the small gear 2 heretofore explained for driving cylinder 1, I provide the gear I! which is meshed with gear I3 to which is connected the cylinder H. The gear and cylinder assembly is journaled in ring bearings i5 and i6 suitably supported with respect to the housing of the clock structure. Cylinder I4 is concentrically disposed about cylinder I and has the interior wall thereof spaced from the exterior wall of cylinder 1. By reason of the mounting of cylinder H in ring bearings l5 and IS, the cylinder i4 revolves about the same axis as cylinder 1. The ring bearing I8 is supported in such manner as not to interfere with the horizontal path of movement of the substantially U-shaped arm or frame 8.

Cylinder I4 is arranged to receive a film record on the outer or inner cylindrical surface thereof. The structure of cylinder is is such that the sur-' face is transparent so that light rays will pass directly through the cylinder l4 and the sound record carried thereby. The sound track may be directly recorded upon a photographic sensitive film carried by cylinder H. The cylinder may be of glass or other transparent material on which is engraved, photographed or otherwise reproduced a sound track.

Returning now to the arm or frame 8,11: will be understood that because of the transparency of the cylinder ll that the light source ii will direct light rays outwardly through the cylindrical suri'ace'lland any sound record carried thereby. The parallel extending portion of arm or frame 8 which is external to cylinder I4 carries a photoelectric cell and optical system assembly. I have shown a mirror at I! disposed in horizontal alignment with light source il along a line extending laterally through a. wall of the cylinder ll. A lens system I 8 is carried by the outer arm of frame 8 and serves to. concentrate light rays upon the photoelectric cell I 8. It will be seen that the entire optical and photoelectric cell assembly is carried by that portion of frame 8 exterior to cylinder I while the light source I i is carried by that portion of frame 8 interiorly of cylinder II. The photoelectric cell i8 is connected through The block 8 is mounted flexible leads to the input terminals of an ampliclock motor.

2,1aasco fication system which I have shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6*. The amplification system is designed for operation of the electron tubes constituting the amplifier from the same alternating current source employed to drive the synchronous I'have illustrated in Fig. 6 a power supply circuit for the amplifier system consisting of transformer 20 having primary winding 2| on one leg of thecore thereof and a multiplicity of secondary windings, indicated at 22, 23 and 24. Secondary winding 22 is employed to supply heating current to the filamentary heaters in electron tubes 25 and 26 constituting the amplifier system. It will be observed that electron tubes 25-and 26 are of the standard types available on the market including the heater electrodes 25a and 2511., the cathodes 25b and 26b, the control grids 25c and 250 and the anodes 25d and 25d. The input circult of electron tube 25 includes impedance 21 and photoelectric cell l9 connected in circuit between control grid 25c and cathode 25b through 31, I provide a potentiometer 33. A tap 33 onresistor 28. The output circuit of tube 25 is coupled through primary winding 29 with seconda'ry winding 30 of transformer 3|. Secondary winding 30 is connected in the input circuit of tube 23, that is, to grid 25c and cathode 26b. The output circuit of electron tube 25 connects through output transformer 32 with the loudspeaker shown generally at 33. The plate circuit energy for the electron tubes 25 and 2-6 is supplied from the full wave rectifier tubeg34 havin the plate electrodes thereof energized from winding 23 and having the cathode thereof energized from secondary winding 24. A filter circuit 35 connects to the full wave rectifier tube 34-and plate circuit potential for the several tubes of the amplifier is supplied from suitable connections made to required points along potentiometer 35. The filter circuit 35 includes a filter reactor 31, and, connected in shunt to the filter reactor potentiometer 33 is taken through lead 4|! to one terminal of resistor 28 which applies the poten-' tial thus obtained from the drop across the filter reactor 31 to the series circuit including photoelectric cell l9 and the input system to electron tube 25. Various circuit'arrangements may be employed in carrying out the system of my invention and the circuit I have shown is to be considered merely in the illustrative sense. It will be understood that Fig. 6 is entirely a diagrammatic showing of my invention as the amplifier is not continuously functioning but is only condltion'ed preparatory to the reproduction of sound at a predetermined time interval. The manner of conditioning the amplifier for reproduction of sound at a predetermined time interval will be more clearly understood by reference to the structure of the switching mechanism illustrated in Figs. 1 and 9-13.

Referring to Fig. 9, the light source 'I I is illustrated as energized from the alternating current supply circuit after a predetermined time interval has elapsed during which the amplifier is conditioned for the reproductionof sound and before the light source is energized for the announcement at any predetermined time. The conditioning switch is operated by means of gear 4| carried by main shaft I, Fig. l, which drives gear 42 carried by shaft 43 journaled at 44 and 45 with respect to the housing of the clock mechanism. The gear 42 carries an insulated facing 48 thereon which supports a radially disposed contact member 41. The contact member 41 is adapted to bridge a pair of segmental shaped fixed contacts illustrated at 48 and 43 so that when the time approaches for the announcement through the sound reproducer 33, the alternating current supply circuit is closed throughv primary winding 2| for a given time interval suflicient to allow rectifier tube 34 and amplifier tubes 25 and 26 to become properly conditioned so that the sound reproducer'is prepared for operation at the instant sound trace on cylinder |4 reaches a position for operating photoelectric cell I9. At this instant, contact member 41 also establishes connection with contact 50, thereby energizing light source I and allowing the light raystherefrom to be modulated by the wave trace on cylinder l4 for controlling the sound reproducing system. Accordingly, it will be seen that the amplifier is'prepared for proper operation of the sound reproducer in advance of the cutting on of the light source If.

There are instances where it is desirable to avoid the association of 110 volts alternating current .with the switch mechanism driven by shaft 43 in which event, I may add additional contacts to the rotary gear 42. This may be accomplished by adding an insulated disc 5| on the opposite side of gear 42, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 and diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 10. Insulated disc 5| shown diagrammatically in Fig. 10 carries a'radially disposed contact member 52 corresponding generally to contact member 41., Contact member 52 is moved into the path of fixed contacts 53 and 54 at the instant the announcement is desired and subsequent to the energization of the circuits of the amplifier. Contacts 53 and 54 are supported on a suitable bracket indicated at 55 supported from bearing bracket 45. Contacts 53 and 54 are connected through leads 5|i with the circuit to the light source leading from the additional secondary winding 51 on the transformer 20. Light source I is, therefore, cut on subsequent to the energization of the amplifier system. In order to remove the higher power circuits from the switch-.

ing mechanism, I may employ the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 10 wherein contacts 43 and 4!! connect through leads 58 with the actuating winding 59 of relay 5|! through small dry battery 6|. The contacts 62 of relay 6!! serve to close a circuit through primary winding 2| for preconditioning the amplifiersystem and before the cutting on of the light source Ii.

The cylinder 4 revolves at a cylindrical surface speed of approximately 90' per minute which amounts, in this case, to about R. P. M. for a cylinder of approximately 6" in diameter. The cylinder 1 revolves at a relatively low speed and the groove or track 1a is so cut that light source II and the optical system and. photoelectric cell assembly |1-|8-|9 will be opposite the the light source are cut oil and restored to a condition preparatory to a repeat process for the next succeeding announcement.

The sound record recorded on the film or on the photographicaliy sensitive surface of .cylinder H is calibrated according to the surface speed of cylinder I4 so that the sound is reproduced precisely at the correct instant. Voice recorded on the film may announce the time or the time may be announced by chimes, recorded on the film, or by other audible sounds. The structure of the clock and announcing mechanism is such that the voice of the individual owner of the clock or the voices of the owners family may be recorded on the record to provide a source of perpetual enjoyment in the announcing of the time at predetermined intervals. Alarm features may be incorporated in the recordso that an alarm of unsual characteristic may be sounded at a predetermined time.

The structure of the clock and the associated announcing mechanism of my invention is highly compact and simple in its manufacture and production. I realize that modifications of the structural arrangement and circuit of the clock of my invention may be made and I intend no limitations upon my invention other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

Moreover the sound reproducing system may, if desired, be continuously activated so that the sound reproducer is prepared for immediate operation upon movement of the sound track to a predetermined position with respect to the optical system and the photoelectric cell control thereby.

It will also be understood that one such clock as has been described can be used as a master clock and that time announcements in any number of remote locations can be made by using loud speakers in these locations. In this way not only time announcements but also instructions or orders which it is desired to give at specified times to workers in different locations can be controlled and sent out at these specified times by one centrally located master clock- Many other changes in the arrangement of parts of the system may be made and I claim all adaptations of my invention within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as' new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. In a device for announcing time, a clock, a mechanism driven in timed relation with the movement of said clock comprising a rotatable cylinder having a right and left-hand guide groove formed in the cylindrical surface thereof, a shoe engageable with the groove in the surface of said cylinder, a carriage connected through a portion thereof with said shoe and adapted to be driven in a reciprocatory path in timed relation to the movement of said clock, a photoelecmovable ina path between said last mentioned portion of the carriage and the portion of the carriage connected with said shoe, and a light source carried by the portion of the' carriage connected with said shoe for directing light rays upon said optical system and photoelectric cell modulated in accordance with the sound record.

2. A system for announcing tlme'comprising a clock, a shaft driven by the clock, a pair of concentrically disposed inner and outer cylinders, a substantially U-shaped frame having one of the arms thereof extending between said inner and outer cylinders and the other arm thereof extending exteriorly of the outer cylinder, a light source carried by the first mentioned arm of said frame, an optical system and photoelectric cell carried by the second mentioned arm of said frame, and means operatively connecting said shaft, said cylinders and said frame for successively scanning a sound record carried by said outer cylinder.

3. An apparatus for announced time, comprising a clock, a pair of concentrically disposed cylindrical members, means operated by said clock for rotatedly driving each of said cylindrical members, a frame member, a light source, a photoelectric cell, and an optical system carried by said frame member, asound record carried by one of said cylindrical members, and means actuated from the other of said cylindrical members for moving said frame member with respect to said first mentioned cylindrical member whereby said light source, photoelectric cell and optical system operate to scan the sound record on said first mentioned cylindrical member.

4. An announcing system for clocks, comprising a clock, a pair of concentrically disposed rotatable cylinders driven by said clock, a sound record carried by one of said cylinders, a frame extending from a position between said cylinders to a position outside of the cylinder carrying said sound record, a light source, a photoelectric cell and an optical system carried by said frame in cooperative relation to said sound record, and means for imparting movement to said frame in timed relation to the operation of said clock for moving said light source, said photoelectric cell and said optical system in timed relation with the movement of the cylinder carrying the sound record.

5. In an announcing system for clocks, a clock, a pair of concentrically mounted cylinders rotatably driven by said clock, one of said cylinders having a spiral right and left hand groove formed in the surface thereof, the other of said cylinders carrying a sound record thereon, a frame having a pair of parallel extending arms, one of said arms extending in a path exterior of the cylinder which carries the sound record thereon, a shoe device connected with the other of said arms and engaging the groove in the surface of ,the first mentioned cylinder, a light source carried by said last mentioned arm, and an optical system and photoelectric cell carried by said first mentioned arm and aligned with said light source through said sound record on said second mentioned cylinder.

6. In an announcing system for clocks, a clock, a pair of concentrically mounted cylinders rotatably driven by said clock, one of said cylinders having a spiral right and left hand groove formed in the surface thereof, the other of said cylinders carrying a sound record thereon, a frame having a pair of parallel extending arms, one of said arms extending in a path exterior of the cylinder which carries the sound record thereon, a shoe device connected with the other of said arms and engaging the groove in the surface of the first mentioned cylinder, a light source, a photoelectric cell and an optical system carried by said frame in cooperative relation to said sound record, an amplifier and sound reproducing system controlled by said photoelectric cell, and

means for conditioning said amplifier beforeen- I carrying a sound record thereon, a frame having 15 a portion thereof extending in a path exterior of the cylinder which carries the sound record thereon, a shoe device connected with said frame and engaging said groove; a light source, a photoelectric cell and an optical system carried by said frame in cooperative relation to said sound rec- 0rd; an amplifier and sound reproducing system,

means operated in timed relation to said clock for conditioning said amplifier prior to a predetermined announcing time, and separate means controlled by said clock for energizing said light source instantaneously at the announcing time.

'I'HORVALD A. SOLBERG. 

